NFL Mock Draft 2024: Rams Day 2 predictions

The Los Angeles Rams have finally ended the Day 1 drought of the NFL Draft, and did so by selecting Florida State outside linebacker Jared Verse with the 19th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But before we dive into that, and what Day 2 may hold for the LA Rams, let's hit the pause button and reflect on what was in 2023, and what may be about this team in 2024.

The LA Rams have been a profoundly successful organization since hiring head coach Sean McVay. And lost in all of the shuffle of power rankings and euphoria over the arrival of rookies to NFL teams is the basic principle that great coaching is needed for NFL success. I have already begun to see the annual very optimistic views that a solid rookie selection means instant success for a team hoping to earn a berth in the NFL Playoffs.

It doesn't come that easily.

What we know from the experience of the 2023 NFL season is that solid coaching does matter, and it is that resolve to focus on and play fundamentally sound football that leads to success in this league. How else can you explain the 5-12 team from just one year ago that made minimal investments in free agency from winning seven of their last eight games? What other reason can there be for the team that relied so heavily upon a rookie class that did not even begin to be assembled until Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft to earn a berth in the 2024 NFL Playoffs?

In the end, it was the synergy created by the front office working in lock step with the entire coaching staff that ultimately ended this team's 8-18 losing streak and reversed course to a dramatic 7-1 finish to the 2024 NFL season. Let me repeat that. This team pivoted from losing games at worse than a 2-1 clip to a team that rallied to win seven of their last eight games.

And the final victory was the Rams junior varsity squad taking the San Francisco 49ers to an old school drubbing.

A year ago at this time, the Rams had yet to make any selection in the draft. And yet, the team emerged with five starters and an entire ensemble of young talent who were all eager to earn their spot on the roster. This year, you can expect more of the same, complete with late round surprises and prospects who perform far better than their brochure.